FreshBread
July/Aug/Sept 2007 The Raven Church
http://www.theravenchurch.org
If you've been watching current events this last couple of months you
would know that our nation is being shaken clear to its roots. In
slightly over a week the U.S. had a bridge collapse that cut a city
in half, two mine disasters, a tornado in New York (very rare), an
odd sized 4.5 "rattle people only" earthquake in the Los Angeles area
and one in San Francisco, and searing record heat all across the
nation, tornadoes that tore through the midwest. The Stock Market
plunged in huge losses several times. In the last month there have
been weird weather occurrences all over the country-a hurricane
threatened Hawaii at the same time as an earthquake, even chunks of
ice fell out of the sky that weighed up to 50 lbs in Iowa! (Check
that out under "weather" at Fox News.com, early July).
It's not over yet.
In all of those events we can read many prophetic things. Much of it
can be attributed to America's stance to divide Israel. Some can be
attributed to God's displeasure with the state of His Bride. I've
heard numerous "interpretations" of the errant weather. The fact is,
that David Wilkerson prophesied extreme weird weather back in the
late 60's as a sign that we were entering the Matthew 24 age.
This last week I had a vision during a prayer meeting that left me a
little concerned. I saw deep and foreboding darkness completely
covering our nation. The storm clouds were thick and black, and the
rain was non-stop pelting the surface. It was not a light refreshing
rain, but a nasty killer flood rain. The cities were devastated:
inside the buildings the furniture was smashed, ceilings collapsed,
dust and mold and darkness was everywhere. It was as if whole cities
had been destroyed at once. I could literally smell the devastation.
In the center of the vision, however, was a large white tent--- like
a "big top" circus tent. Inside the tent was light and power, outside
the darkness reigned. Inside the tent lightning provided the power-
not the government, not the "grid", but lightning that zapped from
the top of the tent to the ground at regular intervals. All of the
buildings under the tent were "normal." I submitted it to two people
and both had the same thing to say:
The tent is the place where we must stay under the protection of the
Holy Spirit. This last church will be the church of the power of God,
not the lukewarm or worldly church we are used to. It is God who will
sustain us, not we ourselves nor our most famous pedestal idols.
So what is God's message to us in that picture?
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come; for
men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving,
unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of
good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And
from such people turn away." 1 Timothy 3:1-5
Does that sound like today? It does to me.
I noted an interesting statement on an ABC news special this last
week. Billy Graham was the subject of the story, because of his
relationship to 11 US Presidents. While the anchor was polite to him,
the "experts" who also participated were wary of his motives. The
Presidents interviewed all honored Billy and credited him with their
marriages and even survival as President. But the others were
politely suspicious and made the statement that "no man of religion
should ever be close to the President." We are headed into a
dangerous or "perilous" time in America.
As a friend in Christ who loves you, I'm suggesting that you keep
your eyes open more than ever. Your spirit must be attuned to the
sound of God's voice. Make absolutely certain that your "oil lamp" of
the Presence of the Holy Spirit is full and you have extra. As we move
forward in this time of history, there will be tremendous challenges
that will be past our ability to face alone. Your capacity to obey in
a split second may save your life. There are "exploits" to accomplish
(Daniel 11:32) in the midst of the turmoil.
God's power in Psalm 91 for protection is given to those who love Him
and have made Him their refuge. HE is the refuge, not the government,
or the area, or the walls of your church building. Stay under His
wings, His tent of power. Believe in Him, trust Him, and stand fast
with each other. He will sustain you in all that is to come.